The cult of the free market—with its dogma of tax cuts, small government, and deregulation—has dominated economic policy talk since the Reagan revolution of nearly thirty years ago, seducing even liberals along the way. But a funny thing happened on the bridge to the twenty-first century: the conservatives themselves have abandoned these principles. In this riveting book, Galbraith first dissects the stale remains of Reaganism and shows why George W. Bush had no choice but to dump them. He then explores the true nature of the Bush regime: a “corporate republic” doing the bidding of the oil, military, pharmaceutical, and media industries; a predator state intent not on reducing government, but on diverting public cash into private hands. In The Predator State, Galbraith shows why our real economy is not a free-market economy, and why it requires policies that transcend, not privilege, the market.

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Quotes & Awards

“The author, whose prose is reminiscent of that of his famous father, John Kenneth Galbraith, is as wickedly biting as he is over the top…the gusto with which he repeatedly challenges tired conventions is refreshing…This is brilliant rhetoric…He has raised trenchant questions about a system in crisis.”

New York Times

“Shows how to break the spell that conservatives have cast over the minds of liberals (and everyone else) for many years.”

Joseph E. Stiglitz, 2001 Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences

“James Galbraith elegantly and effectively counters the economic fundamentalism that has captured public discourse in recent years, and offers a cogent guide to the real political economy. Myth-busting, far-ranging, and eye-opening.”

Robert B. Reich, professor of Public Policy, University of California at Berkeley

“[A] highly readable manifesto…Galbraith’s tour of economics abounds in arresting facts and opinions…His is a stimulating if sometimes scattershot challenge to conventional wisdom.”

Publishers Weekly

“[Galbraith] offers an important perspective in this thought-provoking book written in plain English. Excellent resource for library patrons.”

Booklist

“Narrator William Hughes, a political-science professor, reads with confidence and conviction, making the listener want to believe everything he says, as upsetting as it is to consider the state of economy as Galbraith describes it.”

SoundCommentary.com

A New York Times bestseller

Listener Opinions

Christopher Mitchell | 1/15/2014

" Excellent discussion tackling good economics and discredited economics, good for those who think all economics is bullshit. Learn to separate the good from the bad. "

Lee | 11/23/2013

" Argues for the bankruptcy of conservative economics and provides a liberal alternative that is less awed by the magical hand of the market. A good primer for our times. "

frank santoyo | 8/3/2013

" still engaged in this telling book. "

Matthew | 7/19/2013

" Very accessible. I liked it because it reinforced my already strong belief that we need to change the terms of economic debate away from the false free-market-vs-socialism dichotomy and toward data-based reality. "

Rob Field | 1/7/2013

" Calls for a critical re-evaluation of neo-classical orthodoxy. "

Monte | 9/27/2012

" ...seriously depressing... "

Laura | 8/4/2012

" Okay, I tried. There are no charts and graphs, but the text is still too dry to read for extended periods. I have to admit that I skimmed a lot of what was written - interesting in parts, but snooze-worthy in others. "

Ed | 6/29/2012

" only half way through but intriguing book that is a bit heavy on economics to start with but it's major thesis that the US is nowhere near a free market economy with over 50% of GDP in non market forces hands and its time to get real about this is compelling. We live in a delusional state! "

Erik | 1/22/2012

" A very good book on modern political-economic corruption and some interesting ideas on what to do about it. I wish every single American would read half of what's in this. "

Shawn | 8/21/2011

" This was a serious slog, that I haven't really completed, which is sad because it is so short. He starts off so far to the left that only extremists will probably get past chapter three, which is when he starts to try to really say something. "

Mark | 7/28/2011

" I can't remember when I read a book that changed my thinking about economic matters more than this one. I'm ready to read it again already. "

Steve | 6/25/2011

" Does for free markets what atheism does for religion: proves that the concept itself is virtually useless. "

Christopher | 2/14/2011

" Excellent discussion tackling good economics and discredited economics, good for those who think all economics is bullshit. Learn to separate the good from the bad.
"

Shawn | 12/31/2009

" This was a serious slog, that I haven't really completed, which is sad because it is so short. He starts off so far to the left that only extremists will probably get past chapter three, which is when he starts to try to really say something.
"

frank | 6/15/2009

" still engaged in this telling book.
"

Lee | 5/4/2009

" Argues for the bankruptcy of conservative economics and provides a liberal alternative that is less awed by the magical hand of the market. A good primer for our times.
"

Laura | 1/8/2009

" Okay, I tried. There are no charts and graphs, but the text is still too dry to read for extended periods. I have to admit that I skimmed a lot of what was written - interesting in parts, but snooze-worthy in others.
"

Matthew | 12/10/2008

" Very accessible. I liked it because it reinforced my already strong belief that we need to change the terms of economic debate away from the false free-market-vs-socialism dichotomy and toward data-based reality.
"

Ed | 11/16/2008

" only half way through but intriguing book that is a bit heavy on economics to start with but it's major thesis that the US is nowhere near a free market economy with over 50% of GDP in non market forces hands and its time to get real about this is compelling. We live in a delusional state!
"

Erik | 8/17/2008

" A very good book on modern political-economic corruption and some interesting ideas on what to do about it. I wish every single American would read half of what's in this.
"

Other Titles by James K. Galbraith:

About the Author

James K. Galbraith holds the Lloyd M. Bentsen, Jr., Chair in Government/Business Relations at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin. He holds degrees from Harvard and Yale. He studied economics as a Marshall scholar at King’s College, Cambridge, and then served on the staff of the US Congress, including as executive director of the Joint Economic Committee. He directs the University of Texas Inequality Project, an informal research group at the LBJ School, is a senior scholar of the Levy Economics Institute, and is chair of Economists for Peace and Security, a global professional association.

About the Narrator

William Hughes is an AudioFile Earphones Award–winning narrator. A professor of political science at Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon, he received his doctorate in American politics from the University of California at Davis. He has done voice-over work for radio and film and is also an accomplished jazz guitarist.

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